By The Epoch Times | Created at 2025-03-18 20:29:44 | Updated at 2025-03-20 18:13:27
1 day ago
Government officials had argued that dismantling USAID fit within the president’s authority to conduct foreign affairs.
A federal judge said on March 18 that Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) team likely violated the U.S. Constitution by moving to dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
Closing the USAID headquarters, laying off the overwhelming majority of the USAID workforce, and terminating most of the agency’s contracts violate the separation of powers established by the Constitution, because Congress outlined specific requirements for significant actions related to USAID and Musk and other officials have not complied with the requirements, U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang said in an opinion.
Government officials had argued that dismantling USAID fit within the president’s authority to conduct foreign affairs.
The actions at issue “relate largely to the structure of and resources made available to a federal agency, not to the direct conduct of foreign policy or engagement with foreign governments,” Chuang said.
The judge also found that Musk wielded significant authority despite not being confirmed to a high-level position by the U.S. Senate, in violation of the Constitution’s Appointments Clause.
He ordered Musk and DOGE to reinstate access for USAID workers and contractors to USAID systems and not to take any further action relating to placing employees on leave, firing workers, or terminating contracts.
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The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
This is a developing story that will be updated.
